Mi Vida came through for us in a pinch on Christmas Day. We stopped by Mi Vida to kill some time before going to the movies, and Mi Vida was one of the few bars (well restaurant with a bar) that was open. This will be a partial review because we only had a couple of margaritas, so we did not have a chance to try the food. Overall, our bartender took good care of us and made our margaritas very well. If you like margaritas that have a bit of a kick (i.e., spicy), then I would highly recommend the Cielo Rojo (the red sky). The blend of watermelon, tequila (of course), and spices gives this beverage an interested and refreshing taste. The dimly-lit restaurant is beautifully decorated and really contributes to a fine dining (or in our case drinking) experience. While we did not have food, I'm sure the food is just as delicious as the other location's. read more

Mi Vida - The Red Sky - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We tried a different location a few months ago so we gladly tried this location when in town and hungry today. We went with kids (which is not our norm) who were visiting and were a little concerned but they had a kids menu so figured what the heck. Kids menu cheeseburger was amazing. Restaurant was able to sub rice and beans for sweet potato fries (but told us they couldn't so we were on the hook for two $6 sides of rice and beans to split between three kids even though they did the substitution). Kids steak tacos are two (instead of three) so perfect portion for a big kid. I had carne asada to see if consistency carried over location to location and he had the fish tacos and fried plantains. The food was good but the carne asada was nowhere near as good as the last time. The sauce had started to set like it had been sitting out under a heat lamp (but hard to believe a place like this would even have them). Hubby said fish tacos and his mez skull drink were amazing. Surprisingly the kids loved the salsa and guacamole (was a bit spicy so figured they wouldn't want it). We also ordered the churros (which are cooked to order so be prepared for a 10-15 minute wait). Churros were also good but not as good as the other location. The restaurant wasn't that busy but they were clearly short staffed so there were long waits but ok because we weren't in a hurry and our server ( I forgot her name) was really nice and apologetic about it. Similar to the other location there are booths and half booth half tables. They also have tables with very sturdy wooden chairs (although one at our table was obviously broken). For people who are larger like us, no fear because even the half booth half tables have solid benches with tables that move. Overall what dropped the rating for us was the broken chair and the carne asada and churros not being as good as the other location we tried on 14th NW. Had we not been to that location previously, we probably wouldn't have noticed. read more

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The drinks were good and all of the appetizers we had were all very tasty. The restaurant is lively and very clean. read more

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Came here for happy hour before a show. Tacos were cool. I wish it was a little more flavorful but I liked it. Frozen margarita was good. Ambiance she service was great. I'd come here again read more

Mi Vida - La Frozen Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great for happy hour!!! I come here often. This location is within walking distance from my job so it's very easy to drop by and get a quick bite to eat during lunch or even after work and to get drinks. The restaurant itself is BEAUTIFUL and spacious, staff is usually very nice.. will continue to come back. My fav things to get are the birria tacos of course, the crab empanadas, the shrimp and crab guacamole and the wings. A ponche de Lola on the side always seals the deal. read more

Mi Vida - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This spot had been on my to go list for a while and I decided to come here for lunch today! Ambiance was great-- loved the tree decor. Service was fast and great. - Guacamole and chips: 10/10 (Guac was fresh, not too citrusy, and very flavorful) - Chicken enchilada: 8/10 (the sauce was good. Chicken could've been cooked a bit too much-- it was a bit dry. But overall, not bad.) read more

What an absolutely wonderful Mexican restaurant with creative drink menus and even better food. The service was remarkable from start to finish. The entire staff was very attentive, patient, and helpful even as the venue increased in patrons. The portion sizes were just right for an average American and the price for a restaurant in Penn Quarters is very reasonable. Awesome place to come and relax or have bite before a big show or game at the Arena. You'll actually be paying a bit less than the food inside anyway so I highly recommend visiting here. Will return. read more

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Great food just across from Capital One Arena. We had the fish tacos, which were crispy and spicy, but not too hot. It gets super busy during Caps season, so make a reservation. The staff are very helpful and friendly. Setting is casual. read more

Loved the overall experience at Mi Vida on a Friday night. I got seated quickly with my reservation and my order was taken by the server soon after I was seated. We ordered the Alitas Adobadas (wings), pecado tacos, camarones tacos, and 2 drinks. The drinks were delicious as well as the food. The wings had a nice amount of spice and the tacos had good flavor. We also got a free bite to try from the manager. The only downside of the restaurant is that it is dark inside and the bathroom is dark too. If you don't like a dark restaurant or a dark restaurant, then I wouldn't suggest the restaurant. If the bathroom was better lit, I would give this place 5 stars. No complaints on the food though! read more

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This is a beautiful venue. Love the decorations! It's a lively place! The service by Maria was wonderful. My friend and I really enjoyed our drinks: Ponche de Lola and La Frozen We also enjoyed the guacamole and chips! I had the pescado tacos which were interesting because the fish is fried. I really wonder what it would taste like if it were grilled. I added hot sauce to the fish. My friend had the enchiladas suizas which were chicken enchiladas. She said they had a nice kick to them, but nothing special. We had a lot of chips left over from the guacamole so we ordered salsa. It wasn't the kind of salsa either of us were expecting and the taste just wasn't what we enjoyed. We wanted the typical tomatoes red colored salsa. Maria took it back and took it off the bill and left us with the chips. Overall wasn't very impressed with entrees but drinks and guac for the win! read more

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Stopped here for happy hour with some friends. They have plenty of options from food and drinks to choose from. I got the rolled tacos off their happy hour menu and a mango tajin frozen marg. Both were really good. A friend of mine got their burger and sweet potato fries and those also looked tasty. This location is right by the capital one arena so a great pre or post game place to stop. They have tons of seating to accommodate big groups as well. Service was attentive and the food came pretty fast. read more

Mi Vida - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Ray john and Jordan took care of us at the bar. The restaurant had been a must visit establishment on our list while visiting Washington DC. It was such a fulfilling experience. The ponche de Lola delicious along with the Rollos and the sauce so great to share. We enjoyed the queso fondito with the fresh tortillas!!! And the one person we have to also shout out to was Joe! Can't miss him with dressed to the 9's so approachable and knowledgeable! We can't wait to come back and visit everyone again read more

Came here for happy hour... I love that the happy hour starts early and it gets packed!!! Food was good. I loved our server he was so sweet!! Most definitely will return. read more

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I enjoyed the modern vibe of this restaurant and the interior layout. The food and drinks were decent. I liked the regular margarita better than the la medicina cocktail. The quesabirria was good. I would recommend getting it as an appetizer. The esquites were decent. The food wasn't the best Mexican food I had but I liked the vibe of the restaurant. read more

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I haven't enjoyed any of the mi vida locations I have been to. The food leaves a lot to be desired. Some of the happy drinks are ok but I generally just go elsewhere read more

I was pleasantly surprised at this location. I went to another location and it was bad. We were welcomed warmly at the door to enter the establishment. Service was quick and warm Food overall was very good. No complaints from anyone in the group of 7. Everyone was happy with their drinks and food. read more

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Ive passed Mi Vida a lot and finally decided to come here for brunch. The decor inside was absolutely stunning but that seemed to be the best part of the restaurant for me. The prices are too expensive to justify the quality of food I'm getting. I started with the chips and salsa and while the salsa had a good kick to it, the chips were way too oversalted. I also ordered a salmon which was disappointing. I want a salmon that I can cut like butter but the outside was kinda raunchy/ a bit hard with a soft inside (that wasn't seasoned). It did pair well with the sweet potato mash. The mole was a bit too spicy for me but that's just a me preference. Overall, I didn't find any of the dishes I got to be worth it, especially since the salmon was around 28 dollars. Our server was nice but I'm not sure if I'm dying to return here. read more

Mi Vida - Salmon - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very mixed reviews of our dinner here. The positives: although there was an unbelievable din when we walked in, the host led as to a smaller room at end of the restaurant that was quiet enough to hear each other talk. We had an appetizers of six skewers, two each of shrimp, chicken and beef; the meats were flavorful and the sauces added well to the whole. I had the salmon that was cooked to the degree of doneness that I had requested -- the fish was flavorful and had a nice crust, and topped a sweet potato mash and a nice ancho sauce. There was a chocolate cake stuffed with mousse that was scrumptious (and larger than we expected -- we left some on the plate). So far, a place worthy of a high four-star review, approaching five stars (which I rarely give). Unfortunately, my wife's experience was not so good. She ordered the mushroom empanadas and got three small pastries with a Chinese-style skin, filled mostly with cheese and small bits of chopped mushrooms. But perhaps the size was to be expected because this was an appetizer. Happily, the waiter perceived her displeasure and took it off our bill. She did not like the cup of wine she ordered, I had a selection from the relatively weak beer list read more

Beautiful, vibrant ambiance - I wish the food measured up to the aesthetics. There's plenty of seating and I can see why a lot of tables are empty. Food is very skimpy, spicy, and pricey! The service is a bit slow as we waited 25 min for entrees at the end of lunch around 2pm. The creamy Guacamole was the highlight of the meal and a great way to start off the meal! It's a small portion. While the chips weren't warm and a bit salty. The Cauliflower Enchiladas were very spicy! While I enjoyed the cauliflower, mushrooms, spinach, and black beans - the spiciness of the sauce was overpowering The raw onions sprinkled on top didn't elevate the flavor and the flavors didn't pair that well together. I'm glad I ordered a side of rice to absorb the spicy sauce! The rice was pretty bland. I wish the dish came with rice with less spicy and more balanced out flavors. The Ponche de Lola was a fruity and refreshing cocktail with mango, strawberry, and guava juice. I got both the alcoholic with mango-infused vodka and Mocktail (non-alcoholic). The alcoholic version had a bolder mango flavor and not as sweet. The crispy Churros (4 come in an order) were very thin, the sauces were disappointing. The chocolate sauce was very bitter and the Dulce Leche caramel sauce didn't have much flavor, the Raspberry sauce was the best. We spent $150 on a sub-standard meal. Given the slim vegetarian options (only other option are tacos and Beyond Meat dish), it's one and done. read more

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We came here stayed for more than 3 hours . Ordered drinks , nachos , . For dinner we ordered fish taco , Enchiladas, quesadillas and Chamorro. Food was ok . Wouldn't come back again . Fish taco was good . Didn't like the black sauce Enchiladas.Had a bitter taste . Either it was burnt or god knows .The Chamorro was over fried and dry . read more

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Is there a star boost feature for ratings? This place needs double the max - OMGGGG - I was here for a work conference and a co-worker wanted to catch a city tour. We needed to eat first and just stumbled upon this place - WOW! The food is SO DANG good!! I used to business travel to Juarez regularly and miss authentic Mexican food - this is as close as I've had in a WHILE. The black beans were a special hit for me, I think they use bacon fat, but whatever it is, it's AMAZING. I would volunteer to work another conference just to be close enough to eat here again. 2025 BIG BACK APPROVED!!! read more

The service was slow. The food is ok but not great and it's too pricy. We ordered a salmon and it was under cooked. We waited far too long to have another one brought in. The express lunch was a small serving. A little disappointed in such great location and ambience. read more

We came to Mi Vida around 3:20pm on July 3rd, just the two of us, looking forward to a chill happy hour. Unfortunately, the experience was anything but. The entire bar was completely taken over by one large, rowdy group. We were told by the manager that happy hour pricing was only available at the bar, but with just two bartenders struggling to keep up and the bar fully swamped, it was nearly impossible to get service. The manager did find us a standing high-top (which we didn't mind), but then brought us empty water glasses... and never filled them. A nearby sign said to see the bartender for orders, which again felt ridiculous given the situation. To make matters worse, someone from the overly intoxicated group at the bar ended up on the floor. An ambulance was called, and the scene turned into a complete mess. It was uncomfortable and honestly unsafe. The group was clearly beyond overserved--people were loud, stumbling, and belligerent. All of this happening in a nearly empty restaurant where we couldn't even be offered a regular table with happy hour pricing. It's a really bad look for a place that charges top-tier prices for something as simple as a frozen margarita. Between the lack of hospitality, overwhelmed staff, and poor judgment in handling the crowd, we won't be coming back. read more

Unfortunately I used to love Mi Vida especially as somewhere with gluten free options but we were denied outdoor seating if our entire party wasn't going to order an entree. There were already patrons outside so I don't understand limiting the service out there to those who can only all get entrees. Seems silly to me to lose out on business in that way. read more

So the churros were delicious! And I got them free through a coupon on InKind. The bar ambiance was nice, too. Where I thought Mi Vida could have done better was service. Even though I was paying with InKind and showed my balance there when ordering, the bartender insisted on having a separate credit card "on file." What happened was I got charged $17.32 then refunded $17.32, which is annoying. I don't like feeling like I need to keep track of refunds coming through. They could have just let me pay with InKind. Also could have been better: I ordered an espresso to go with the churros. That came immediately, with no sugar or sides. By the time the churros arrived, the espresso was cold. A few more questions from the bartender could have spared me the cold espresso. At the front, when I told the hostess that my friend and I wanted to order "coffee and churros," I was told that tables are only for people ordering meals. Fair enough, but the phrasing made me feel a little like a second-class guest. Maybe "I recommend getting a table in the bar for churros" or something like that would have been better. read more

Mi Vida - Churros! - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came on a Saturday for lunch without a reservation and they fit us right now! Immediately loved the overall aesthetic of the restaurant upon walking in. Our waiter was amazing, super knowledgeable and helpful when ordering! We ordered the chips & salsa, Mariscos Empanadas (THIS IS A MUST!), Pescado A La Talla, Carne Tacos, Enchiladas De Mole Negro (Mole sauce is kinda sweet) and Arroz & Frijoles. I'll definitely be back to try more! read more

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Delicious Mexican fare in a colorful, lively restaurant with fantastic service. I visited Mi Vida on a busy Friday evening with a decently sized group (6 people). We were seated nearly immediately in one of their giant booths in the heart of the restaurant, which was perfect for soaking in the place's bustling energy. We kicked off our meal with the Fiesta de Botanas, a family-style selection of their most popular appetizers. Everything on the platter was fantastic, but I especially loved the coctel de camarones -- the shrimp was delightfully plump and slightly sweet, and the dish was generally super light and refreshing. I also loved both salsas -- the habanero had a great kick without being overwhelmingly spicy -- but nothing compares to their fresh guac. Once we were all filled up on the appetizers, we moved on to the mains. The group absolutely loved the enchiladas -- four of the six folks ordered an enchilada platter, and they all had rave reviews. I decided to go against the grain and ordered the Pescado a la Veracruza, a seared cod fillet with a delightful roasted tomato sauce, olives, capers, and pickled jalapenos. The cod was flaky, and the various accompaniments made the dish light and refreshing, but still packed with flavor. The roasted tomatoes added a touch of smokiness, while the olives and capers provided a good hit of umami. The tomatoes and pickled jalapenos provided a hint of acid, along with the tiniest whisper of spice. All in all, I can't recommend Mi Vida enough! It's a vibrant, upbeat restaurant with great music, decor, and energy. The staff is super friendly, and the food is fantastic -- definitely give Mi Vida a try the next time you're looking for a taste of Mexico. read more

Mi Vida - Pescado a la Veracruza - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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1st the food was delicious. 2nd the waitress we had Nicole was fantastic. I would recommend this place to anyone. read more

Overpriced, cold and overly salty food, and rushed service. Very disappointed as we are celebrating my BIL's birthday. The restaurant knows this and one person in a jacket brought over an amuse-bouche for us. Unfortunately it was too spicy for our taste buds. No warning about it at all. The food took a while to come out, cold and overpowered with salt! I normally love the mole negro but can't enjoy it with that much salt in it. The mole verse in the chicken enchilada looks like smeared guacamole. It didn't tasted like tomatillos but the same as our guacamole. The skirt steak taco was dry and in a weird consistency that made us question the cut in our mind. Our waiter brought over the bill before we were even had a chance to ask for the dessert menu. So we figured we better leave as we were not wanted here! Not the birthday experience I had in mind. read more

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Can't wait to return with had the tacos. Magnifico! Que sabor! Taking my brother & his wife there tomorrow. Hope Christian is there.

This is a newer MinVida location. The decor is amazing and staff are very friendly. It was restaurant week so we had the restaurant week brunch and bottomless drinks and loved everything. read more

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We stopped by for dinner before a comedy show due to its proximity to the arena. It is now one of our favorite restaurants in DC. We had the queso fundido with corn tortillas and it did not disappoint. Our served, Jason, was attentive and polite. We enjoyed our dinner and will definitely return! read more

Had a late night dinner with colleagues and food was delicious! Made the reservation last minute on a Tuesday night and it worked out fine wasn't too crowded. My party had some drinks at the bar and the bartender was able to make a fun cocktail with mostiques. Appetizers were nicely plated and decisions and our entrees were as well read more

Service was awesome! Huge shout-out to the host! He flagged down a member of our party to return a purse. (And cool decor). read more

Mi Vida - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food was absolutely delicious, particularly the birria tacos! The drinks were a bit disappointing. We got margaritas that tasted very watered down. read more

I remember coming to this restaurant yearsssss ago for a birthday celebration and from what I can remember the food is a lot better now then it was before. I Came in during a weekday afternoon and it was very easy to get a last minute reservation for myself and coworkers (party of 7). The space is beautiful with large windows letting in lots of sunshine. The bar area is also really cool with decor hanging over the space. The service was just ok. Our server was very friendly however it took very long to find her whenever we needed something. I'm assuming maybe they were short staffed during the midday. Towards the end of the service a manager came over to help out. I ordered their mushroom tacos and they were seasoned well. I would suggest passing on the rice and beans because the rice was very over cooked and crunchy. Their tortilla chips and salsa though, bomb! Overall a solid meal. Nothing like a Mexican spot in california though. Let me know if you know of any good authentic mexican restaurants in the DMV area ! :) read more

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Typically I have better luck with my food. I will say the customer service did make up for the less than standard on the meal, so they get a 5 for service due tbthe manager's effort. My pork shank was hard on the outside but usually is crisp enough and a tender piece of meat. The Brussels were chewy. The wings and drinks were good. Mango margarita is my go to. The ambiance and spacing are very nice. Stick to the traditional foods. The mole is good but it might be best to request to taste the sauce before ordering to ensure your palette approves. read more

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An expensive Mexican place right by the Washing Capitals' arena, Mi Vida feels like more money went into the decor and presentation than the food. The ladies did not care for the salsa, which was rather spicy. They also did not love their Enchiladas Suizes and Rancheras, I liked the carne tacos. Key item missing from the menu? Salad. The guacamole arrived rather late, and the server was supposed to take it off the bill, but did not. Overpriced food, so-so service. read more

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This was a perfect restaurant for a late Saturday lunch. They have a ton of both indoor and outdoor seating. To drink, I had a spicy margarita. It was perfectly crisp, not too sweet, and had a nice kick. My partner got the pinada. It was served in a large pineapple shaped glass with an umbrella. It was fruity and creamy. To start, we shared the "blue" guacamole. This unique preparation included blue cheese, grapes, and almonds. The blue cheese offered a rich flavor, complemented by the sweetness of the grapes. Though it might be too unconventional for some, I loved it! For my main, I had the huevos rancheros. This was flavorful with a subtlety spicy tomato sauce. Well balanced by all ingredients. My partner got the burrito tejano and was expecting a handheld burrito, but the dish was more like an enchilada as it was smothered in sauce. He still enjoyed it. Our server was friendly. Super satisfying meal. read more

We were really excited to eat here while visiting DC, and ended up leaving slightly disappointed. We waited roughly 30min to be seated for a table of two, and the hostess tried her best to swiftly get us a table. We each had a house margarita which was very average, nothing special at all. The Birria and Chicken Suizas Enchiladas entrees were very tasty, but came out suspiciously fast. Tortillas were very tasty and seemed to be homemade. Our waitress Paige was very friendly and welcoming. However, as we were still eating our food and planning on getting dessert afterwards, another waitress dropped off our check without us even asking. We found this to be incredibly rude, and it made us feel like we were rushed out. Our waitress Paige seemed to not even realize that someone had brought us our check prematurely. The other waitress even returned to our table with a credit card machine but appeared to be confused when she saw that Paige had taken the bill away. No pun intended, but this left a very bad taste in my mouth. read more

Mi Vida - Chicken Suizas Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia